New Moon – Once in a Black Moon - 23 August 2025

We have all heard the saying, “once in a Blue Moon”, which is when there are two Full Moons in one month. This month I learnt the name Black Moon, which is when there are two New Moons in one month or four New Moons in one season.

The next Black Moon will occur on August 23, 2025, which I read is a Seasonal Black Moon. Sometimes a season has four New Moons, and the third New Moon is called a Black Moon.

One article I read stated that Seasonal Black Moons only come around every 29 months. Another report said that this phenomenon only occurs once every two and a half years. It was also reported that the last Black Moon was in early 2023.

The New Moon this month will occur on 23 August 2025 here on Norfolk Island. A New Moon is not visible in the night sky and it always makes excellent astronomical viewing and astro photography. Stargazers will enjoy the dark skies, if the skies are clear.

These links below describe Black Moons:

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/black-moon.html

Black Moon: What Is It and When Does It Happen?

https://www.timeanddate.com/news/astronomy/black-moon-2025

Black Moon 2025—When and Why Does It Occur?

What is a Black Moon?

A Black Moon is a term used to describe a specific type of New Moon. There are two main definitions of a Black Moon:

Monthly Black Moon: This occurs when there are two New Moons in a single calendar month. This phenomenon happens approximately once every 29 months.

Seasonal Black Moon: This is defined as the third New Moon in a season that has four New Moons, which occurs about once every 33 months.

The next month is busy, so don’t forget to mark these dates on your Calander.

There is a Total Lunar Eclipse on Monday 8 September 2025, paired with a Partial Solar Eclipse across a southern region of the globe on Monday 22 September 2025.

Total Eclipse of the Moon: 8 September 2025

In the early morning of September 8, the Full Moon will move into the shadow of Earth and appear completely black, surrounded by a glowing orange-red ring.

Norfolk Island, New Zealand and areas of Australia will have a view of the Total Lunar Eclipse in the southern sky, if the skies are clear in the early hours of the morning. Once the sun rises at 5.55am, the eclipse will fade as the Totality ends. Here on Norfolk Island the Total Lunar Eclipse will be from 4.30am to 5.52am.

Check out this site for more information:

8 Sep 2025 – Total Lunar Eclipse in Norfolk Island

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/norfolk-island?iso=20250907

Partial Solar Eclipse: 22 September 2025

Later in the month, Monday 22nd September, on the New Moon, there will be a Partial Solar Eclipse visible from Norfolk Island. This will start as the sun rises at 5.38am, the partial eclipse starts at 5.37am and ends at 6.43am. Fingers crossed the horizon is clear if you are out early to watch the sunrise and the Partial Solar Eclipse.

Never look directly at the Sun.

Always protect your eyes if viewing solar eclipse and do not look at the sun without protection. You can seriously hurt your eyes and even go blind. Proper eye protection, like eclipse glasses or a special solar filter, is the only safe option. Sunglasses don't work.

For more details, check out this internet site:

22 Sep 2025 – Partial Solar Eclipse in Norfolk Island

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/norfolk-island?iso=20250921

Here are some images of Moon Phases which shows that the New Moon is a very dark circle. Plus, some of my astrophotography images of Norfolk Island night skies. If the skies are clear, It is always rewarding to look up the stars at night and enjoy Our Norfolk Island Magical Dark Skies.

If its Dark – Look for Stars!!!

Our Norfolk Island Magical Dark Skies

Betty Matthews

22 August 2025